The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or Diagnostic Codes pertaining to knee disorders.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's forward flexion of the lumbar spine was never less than 70 degrees, which is above the threshold required for a higher disability rating. For his knees, there were no findings of ankylosis and limited motion did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Left knee disorder, Right knee disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18112181
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18112181.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including DDD of the lumbar spine. The current VA opinions are deemed inadequate due to their failure to consider the Veteran's lay reports of in-service injury and continuous symptomatology since service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a hearing, and not because of any issues with service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.
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